Coin (Reverse), two pence piece or 'turner', from reign of James VI

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This is the reverse of a two pence piece minted at Edinburgh in 1597, during the reign of James VI. The coin was made of copper and was worth two pence Scots.

The reverse has three thistle heads with a small pellet in the centre. The Latin inscription translates as: 'Town of Edinburgh'.

The designs of the coin are closely based on those of a French copper coin known as a double tournais. The name 'turner' is derived from tournais.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-190-000-568-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.C3353
• Date: 1597
  
• Material: Copper; slight flattening; moderate wear. Inscription: Obv. . IACOBVS . 6 . D . G . R . SCOTORVM; bare-headed king's bust to right / Rev. . OPPIDVM . EDINBURGI; three thistle-heads with a small pellet in the centre
  Coin, two pence piece
  
• Dimensions: 21.50 mm D / Die Axis: 2.0
  
• What: Coin, two pence piece
  
• Subject: Queen Street Coin Collection
  
• Who: James VI
  
• Where: Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh
  
• Event:
• Description: James VI copper two-pence piece, Edinburgh, 1597
  
• References:
  • 'Currency' multimedia programme NMS 1995 
  • Stewart, I.H. 'The Scottish Coinage'. Second Edition. London: Spink & Son, 1967 
• Translations:
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